One man dead, another injured in single vehicle crash near Rockford

ROCKFORD — One man was killed and another seriously injuries in what is believed to have been a one-vehicle, rollover crash about 5:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police were dispatched to the area of Blackhawk and Mulford roads south of Rockford for a report of a man laying in the roadway.

Deputies found Dennis S. Rossato, 28, of Rockford, suffering from serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

After checking the area, deputies found a Lincoln Navigator in a ditch about 500 feet north of Blackhawk Road. It appeared to have rolled over and sustained major damage, Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro said.

James M. Mercer, 24, of Rockford, was found near the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation as to the cause of the accident and position of the men in the vehicle is continuing. An accident reconstruction is being compiled and no charges had been filed Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with information to call police 815-319-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.

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